TALCUM POWDER AND TETANUS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 6

TALCUM POWDER AND TETANUS

Preventive Measures

Adopted

ALL STOCKS TO BE WITHDRAWN (P-A.) WELLINGTON, June 6. “The Healtn Department nas Kept in very close touch with the position and does not consider that infection of taicum powder in tnis way could have been foreseen. It does not consider mat any particular blame can be attrioutea to tne manufacturers of tne powder,” saia Dr. P. S. Maciean, director of tne Division of Public Hygiene, when addressing the Dominion emergency conference of cosmetic and toiiec preparation manufacturers in Wellington to-day to investigate the recent tetanus iniections.

“Thq recent cases are most regrettable," Dr. Maclean continued. “With the steps already taken by the Health Department, however, and the assistance of all manufacturers, it can be confidently said that there should be no recurrences of infection.”

On behalf of all manufacturers, Mr Wihrid B. Owen, president of the New Zealand Cosmetic and Toilet Preparation Manufacturers’ Association, expressed the industry’s deep regret at the unfortunate happenings. The Health Department, he said, could be assured of the full co-operation of all in taking every precaution to safeguard against any similar future occurrence.

“Talcum powders," Mr Owen said, “have been extensively used in. every part of the world for, one might say, hundreds of years. To the best of the industry’s knowledge, medical statistics do not record one such previous case of tetanus infection over this long period of usage.” Dr. Maclean reported that the department had taken every step to prevent further infection. Among the steps taken were a warning to all maternity hospital licensees and obstetrical nurses that they must not use any powder as dressing for a baby’s cord unless it had been adequately sterilised by heat. After very full consideration of future preventive measures, it was announced that manufacturers of baby powders were voluntarily withdrawing from retailers and wholesalers all their proprietary brand stocks, which would be destroyed. Supplies would not again be forthcoming for sale uhtil talcum for future supplies had- been subjected to a process of sterilisation. All future consignments of imported talcum to be used in the manufacture of dusting powders would be tested bacteriologically in New Zealand in conjunction with the Health Department, and if found to be infected would be adequately sterilised. Steps would also be taken immediately to ensure that air high-grade talcum exported from overseas to New Zealand for the manufacture of dusting powders would be packed in clean containers that had not previously been used for any other purpose. It is pointed out bv the Health Department that dusting powders, including baby powders, are manufactured only for use on healthy unbroken skin. They are not intended for use as surgical dressings, and should not be so used. There is a minimum of risk of infection from talcurq when used in ordinary toilet as a dusting powder. In a statement after the report had been issued to the press, Mr Owen said, in regoonse to an inquiry, that the calling in of stocks did not aoply to toilet powders other than baby powders. Face powders so far submitted to test had proved free of infection, but it had been agreed by the manutactun&rs that all such powders should be tested, and if any infection were found In a brand that brand would be withdrawn from sale. “Actually.” added Mr Owen, “only two brands of baby powder among those so far tested have shown the presence of tetanus infection.”